The International Trade Commission is looking into claims by home healthcare product maker Invacare Corp. (NYSE: IVC) that a New York distributor and its Chinese manufacturer are infringing on the Ohio company’s patented universal bed technology.
The investigation is based on an Aug. 5 complaint by Invacare alleging violations of section 337 of the Tariff Act of 1930 by Medical Depot Inc. of Port Washington, New York, which does business as Drive Medical Design and Manufacturing, and its Chinese manufacturer, Shanghai Shunlong Physical Therapy Equipment Co., Ltd., for importing and selling adjustable-height beds and components that infringe on the Elyria, Ohio, company’s patents.
Invacare asked the commission for an exclusion order, barring imports of Drive Medical’s Ultra Light adjustable-height beds, as well as a cease and desist order “preventing Drive Medical from selling, repairing or updating any of its infringing Ultra Light brand of adjustable-height beds already in the United States,” the company said in a release.
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The trade commission said it is investigating Drive Medical and Shanghai Shunlong Physical Therapy Equipment for the claims.
Previously, Invacare filed a patent infringement suit against Drive Medical in U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Ohio claiming infringement of the same patents, as well patents for the Invacare Rollite rollators, the company said. That case is ongoing.
